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Ripple marks identification and geology

Small-scale ridge-and-trough undulations on the surface of a sedimentary bed, formed by the movement of water or wind over loose sediment. Current ripples are asymmetric steeper on the downstream side and indicate flow direction. Wave ripples are symmetric with pointed crests and indicate oscillating water movement. Ripple marks are important paleocurrent indicators and can be preserved in ancient sedimentary rocks. Field: sedimentology. Example: Symmetrical wave ripples preserved on the surface of Cambrian sandstone in Wisconsin record the gentle oscillation of shallow marine waters over 500 million years ago, with their crests still sharp and well-defined.. Related terms: Cross-bedding, Paleocurrent, Bedform, Current.

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  • Cross-bedding

Sources, scope & corrections

These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.

Editorial owner
GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T15:19:42.055955+00:00
Review status
Published; not independently peer-reviewed
  • USGS Thesaurus — U.S. Geological Survey. Controlled earth-science terminology used to describe USGS information resources.
  • Glossary of Geologic Terms — U.S. National Park Service. Geologic definitions prepared by the NPS Geologic Resources Inventory.

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Common questions

What does Ripple marks mean in geology?
Small-scale ridge-and-trough undulations on the surface of a sedimentary bed, formed by the movement of water or wind over loose sediment. Current ripples are asymmetric steeper on the downstream side and indicate flow direction. Wave ripples are symmetric with pointed crests and indicate oscillating water movement. Ripple marks are important paleocurrent indicators and can be preserved in ancient sedimentary rocks.
What is an example of Ripple marks?
Symmetrical wave ripples preserved on the surface of Cambrian sandstone in Wisconsin record the gentle oscillation of shallow marine waters over 500 million years ago, with their crests still sharp and well-defined.
Which earth-science field uses the term Ripple marks?
Ripple marks is used in sedimentology.
Which terms are related to Ripple marks?
Related terms in this reference are Cross-bedding, Paleocurrent, Bedform, Current.

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